New Forest council gets clean bill of environmental health
Release date: 20 July 2010
New Forest District Council's food safety service has been given a clean bill of environmental health.
A recent audit by the Food Standards Agency rated the council's environmental health service highly.
The council's systems and procedures for the inspection of food businesses came under the spotlight during the audit and the findings were very positive. The audit confirmed that the service is well run and effective in achieving food law compliance in New Forest businesses.
The audit also showed that competent and trained environmental service officers operate a highly-effective regulatory service, offering reassurance to residents and visitors that there is good consumer protection in the district.
The audit also recognised that officers have a supportive working relationship with food business operators. It found the council had a progressive and educative approach to enforcement, in line with the enforcement policy, and is an effective means to achieve compliance with food law.
Cllr Maureen Holding, portfolio holder for employment, health and wellbeing, commented: ''I was very pleased to learn that the Food Standards Agency rated the service very highly in an official audit, and confirmed that it provides an excellent service to food businesses, residents and visitors to the district.''
The report has been published and can be viewed on the FSA website.